Joel W. Turner is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, where he studies Economics and History. As a Brackenridge Fellow, he’s had the chance to explore a wide range of research — from climate change and solar plant policy to child welfare and federal governing structures. His academic work often circles back to one central theme: how institutions are built, how they evolve, and how they can be reshaped to serve people better.

Outside the classroom, Joel is a board game designer, trumpet player, and avid cinephile. He loves breaking down systems, whether it’s the mechanics of a strategic game or the storytelling structure of a film. Horror and comedy are his favorite genres, with “The Belko Experiment” and “A Million Ways to Die in the West” topping his list of opposites. He’s also a lifelong gamer — most recently hooked on “Inscryption,” a strategy-driven horror card game.

At the heart of it all, Joel enjoys connecting big ideas and political strategy to everyday life — whether through research, play, or storytelling.